It's not just the upfront cost of a kit. Most people don't come here. They see a kit from Blu or one of those that costs a LOT of money upfront. Then they may come in here and ask how to get started, and someone meaning well tells them get an ego, someone else says Kgo, someone else screams Provari. Then there's clearos, cartos, tanks, attys, etc. etc. etc. The newb runs all over the internet, figures it's gonna cost $80 or whatever all at once, and they doubt what they're buying because they got 10 different answers, and they're not sure what juice to try, and it seems like a huge hassle to figure it all out.
When they do get a kit, it's more complicated than pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. They find out something leaks, or they didn't get two batteries and they have to wait to charge, or the juice tastes like soap, or any number of variables... and they may not stick with it, because it's easier to smoke, and if what they got costs $80 and didn't work, now what?